New figures announced today by Breast Cancer Ireland point to a substantial increase in survival rates beyond 5 years of those living with metastatic breast cancer, the most severe form of the disease, from 19% to 32%*.
Ireland’s leading breast cancer charity has also revealed for the first time that there are approximately 950** females in Ireland living with distant metastatic disease or metastatic breast cancer, the most challenging area from a scientific research and treatment perspective. Although rates of recovery from metastatic breast cancer are lower than for other forms of cancer, the number of women living in Ireland with the disease is steadily growing, with continuing clinical trials development, creating new and improved treatments and therapies.
Hope can also be found in the results of ground-breaking new research conducted by the Breast Cancer Ireland funded research team at RCSI, University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dublin, which has uncovered a potential new target to manage breast cancer that has spread to the brain. Prof Leonie Young, Scientific Director of the Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre and leader of the Endocrine Oncology Research Group at RCSI explains “When it comes to brain metastases, clinical management includes surgical resection or radiation therapy – currently there are no targeted therapeutic options. However, in looking at patient tumours from both the breast and the brain, our research team has identified RNA Methylation as an essential mechanism which enables the tumour to evolve and progress. Our research has shown that targeting this mechanism, with drugs currently in trial for other cancer types (FTO Inhibitors) could prove significantly beneficial for patients with breast cancer that has metastasized to the brain.
In addition to the announcement of these research findings and to mark World Cancer Day on 4th February, Breast Cancer Ireland has launched #MetastaticMatters a campaign focussing on those living with a metastatic diagnosis***.
The campaign aims to highlight the symptoms of metastatic disease to be aware of, and also to increase understanding of how and why this occurs. The campaign will be supported by a heavyweight digital, PR and communications campaign ensuring that the voices and concerns of those living with metastatic disease in Ireland are heard, understood and valued - making the breast cancer community feel like a place that ALL those affected belong.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Breast Cancer Ireland CEO Aisling Hurley said “The narrative around metastatic breast cancer needs to evolve…and it is beginning to do so. It is undeniably a very worrying diagnosis but from a research perspective, there is hope to be found and findings indicate that it is getting more hopeful by the day. We see many women and men in this country living with metastatic disease…and in fact living well. In this sense, it’s important to drive conversations around metastatic breast cancer and show what it can look like, and what it does look like for so many people. The idea of living with an incurable disease can be a hard one to get our heads around, but in the last 5 years significant strides are being made to change the prognosis of stage four breast cancer, helping patients live longer, fuller lives”.
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6 signs of Metastatic Breast Cancer
Some people will have minimal or no symptoms of metastatic cancer. If symptoms are present, they’re based on the location of the metastasis.
After a primary breast cancer, be aware of these red flags for secondary breast cancer:
1 Lymph Nodes
Swelling, lumps, and pressure in the chest, armpit and neck areas. Dry cough
2 Lung
Sharp pain on breathing in chest and back area. Cough and/or fatigue. Blood clots can cause shortness of breath.
3 Spinal Cord
Pain or tenderness in the middle or top of the back. Severe pain in the lower back. Pain in the back that worsens at night, or when coughing or sneezing.
4 Liver
Bloating, appetite changes, weight loss, fatigue, weakness, or pain near the ribs on the right-hand side.
5 Bone
Any new, unusual or increasing pain in the bones e.g., arms, ribs, back. Dull ache or a sharp shooting pain.
6 Brain
Frequent headaches, vomiting, dizziness, visual disturbances, seizures, mood swings, balance issues or fatigue
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Metastatic Breast Cancer – Further Background Information
What is Metastatic Breast Cancer? Metastatic breast cancer, also known as Stage IV breast cancer, is cancer that has spread outside of the breast to other areas such as the bones, liver, lung or brain. This process is called metastasis. (Pronounced as Me-TAS-ta-sis)
What happens when breast cancer spreads?
Breast cancer that spreads to the bones, lung, or liver, is still breast cancer and does not become bone cancer or liver cancer or lung cancer. Under a microscope, the tumour cells will still look and act like breast cancer and will be treated as breast cancer.
Who gets metastatic breast cancer?
No one brings metastatic disease on themselves. The sad truth is that anyone who has had an earlier stage of breast cancer can experience a metastatic recurrence and some women have metastatic disease on their initial diagnosis of cancer–despite mammograms and early detection.
Why does breast cancer metastasize? (Pronounced as Me-TAS-ta-size)
A cancer recurrence occurs when breast cancer cells reappear in the area around the breast (local or regional recurrence) or in other areas of the body (distant metastasis). For the most part, these are those microscopic tumour cells that presumably ‘escaped’ before a diagnosis and hid, somehow protected, from the systemic therapies received. Then after a long while, conditions change and these cells wake up from their hibernation and begin doubling again.
What is the main difference between early-stage breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer?
Metastatic breast cancer is treatable but no longer curable. Treatment is lifelong and focuses on preventing further spread of the disease and managing symptoms. The goal is for patients to live a good quality of life for as long as possible.
How is metastatic breast cancer treated?
Depending primarily on the kind or subtype of metastatic breast cancer, patients may be on either targeted therapies or systemic chemotherapy. Radiation and surgery are also sometimes used.
How many people are living with metastatic breast cancer in Ireland?
According to previously unpublished NCRI (National Cancer Registry of Ireland) statistics, there are approximately 950 female breast cancer survivors alive at 31/12/20 who had originally been diagnosed with distant metastatic breast cancer during 1994-2020. [These are the most recent figures available as part of NCRI reporting structures]
Is metastatic breast cancer a chronic disease?
Not yet, but that is an important goal. As researchers identify more and better treatments, metastatic breast cancer could become a chronic disease like diabetes or HIV/AIDS, where patients can be stable on medications several years or longer.
When is International Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day?
October 13th is International Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
Do young women get metastatic breast cancer?
YES. Women and men of all age groups can get breast cancer and, in some cases, metastatic breast cancer can affect younger women & men.
How is metastatic breast cancer monitored?
Usually, metastatic breast cancer is monitored by periodic imaging tests (CT, PET or bone scans or MRIs), blood tests measuring tumour markers and assessment of how the patient is feeling.
